US 6,362,445 B1Granted

Modular, miniaturized switchgear

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorsFrancois J. Marchand, George Alfred Hodkin, Trevor Brian Marshal, Norman Davies, Peter J. Theisen

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A compact switchgear system employing a number of modular components that plug into their mating interface and are maintained in electrical isolation employing solid insulation in a manner that substantially shields the electrical conducting portions of the assembly from contact with lower voltage portions of the system. The assembly is primarily made up of five modules. A multi-phase load connector having integral current monitoring transformers for each of the respective phases; a voltage monitoring transformer which plugs into the load connector; an in-line actuator and vacuum interrupter module, provided for each phase, which plugs into the load connector; a three position vacuum switch connected between the vacuum interrupter module and the line or ground; and an electronic control module which receives inputs from the current and voltage monitors, circuit relays, vacuum interrupter/in-line actuator module, and temperature sensors, and provides programmed, controlling outputs to the in-line actuators of the respective vacuum interrupter modules.

Claims41

Dependent claims

A circuit switching device comprising:

a sealed container housing a medium having a lower electrical conductivity than air, wherein the container is impermeable to the medium;
a first stationary contact sealed within the sealed container;
a first electrical conductor connected to the first stationary contact at one end, sealably penetrating the sealed container and terminating at the other end in a first electrically insulated electrical connector;
a moveable contact means sealed within the sealed container and moveable between a first position, out of electrical communication with the first stationary contact, and a second position, in electrical communication with the stationary contact;
a second electrical conductor connected to the moveable contact means at one end, sealably penetrating the sealed container and terminating at the other end in a second electrically insulated electrical connector;
solid insulation means formed on the sealed container for electrically insulating the sealed container and the electrical conductors and connectors external of the sealed container and substantially isolating the sealed container, conductors and connectors from contact with lower voltage potential portions of the surroundings when connected within a system the switching device is designed to interrupt;
and
an in-line actuator for moving the moveable contact means between the first and second positions in response to an actuation command indicative of a given circuit condition.

5 more elements

A circuit switching device comprising:

a sealed container housing a medium having a lower electrical conductivity than air, wherein the container is impermeable to the medium;
a first stationary contact sealed within the sealed container;
a first electrical conductor connected to the first stationary contact at one end, sealably penetrating the sealed container and terminating at the other end in a first electrically insulated electrical connector;
a moveable contact means sealed within the sealed container and moveable between a first position, out of electrical communication with the first stationary contact, and a second position in electrical communication with the stationary contact;
a second electrical conductor connected to the moveable contact means at one end, sealably penetrating the sealed container and terminating at the other end in a second electrically insulated electrical connector;
a second stationary contact sealed within the container and connected to ground;
a third electrical conductor connected to the second stationary contact at one end, sealably penetrating the container and terminating at the other end in a third electrically insulated electrical connector;
means for moving the moveable contact means between the first and second stationary contacts;
and
wherein the sealed container is divided into two tandem compartments, each compartment housing one of said first and second stationary contacts at adjacent ends of the compartments and wherein the moveable contact means comprises a first moveable contact housed in a first of the two compartments with the first stationary contact and a second moveable contact housed in a second of the two compartments with the second stationary contact, wherein the first and second moveable contacts are connected in parallel to the second electrical conductor and are moved by the moving means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/476,243Filed 3 Jan 2000
Granted: 26 Mar 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H02B 13/0354
Gas-insulated switchgear: comprising a vacuum switch
H01H 11/0062
Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches: testing or measuring non-electrical properties of switches,…
H01H 33/593
Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switch and not otherwise provided for, e.g. for ensuring operation of the…:…
H01H 33/6662
Operating arrangements: using bistable electromagnetic actuators, e.g. linear polarised electromagnetic actuators